The home ministry’s decision to give ‘Z’ category security to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is set to create a new set of individuals who face threats but are willing to pay for their security.
Government sources said the ‘pay for your security formula’ was patterned on the
Central Industrial Security Force model, which provides security to private installations on cost-reimbursement basis provided they face terror threats.

But Ambani wouldn’t just have to pay for the 30-35 Central Reserve Police Force commandos deployed for round-the-clock security. Officials said he would also have to pay for costs incurred by other state police forces when travelling.

The CRPF team will accompany him only when he travels by road. When he travels to Delhi, it will be the job of Delhi Police to provide him security.

“The MHA order has been conveyed to Delhi Police requiring them to raise cost-based bills, that will cover salary of the personnel deployed as well as money for their meals and conveyance,” said an official, pointing that other states are also being informed on the same lines.

The home ministry had proposed tinkering with the list of protectees in 2006; the move, however, fell through as MPs vetoed the move at a meeting.